Inhibition of the tumorigenic potential of tumor stem cells by LIF and BMPS

Abstract

The present disclosure includes methods and compositions for the treatment or prevention of diseases and disorders characterized by excessive or misregulated cellular proliferations, including methods for the treatment of tumors. The methods involve the use of pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of a LIF preparation, a BMP preparation, a BMPR signalling activator, and a LIFR signalling activator. The disclosure also includes LIF preparations, BMP preparations, BMPR signalling activator, and LIFR signalling activators, and methods for the identification of LIF preparations, BMP preparations, BMPR signalling activator, and LIFR signalling activators. The disclosure also includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one agent selected from the group consisting of a LIF preparation, a BMP preparation, a BMPR signalling activator, and a LIFR signalling activator.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for reducing a tumor-initiating cell pool comprising a tumor stem cell and a tumor progenitor cell of a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic amount of a Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP-4) preparation, the therapeutic amount of the BMP-4 preparation being effective to reduce the tumor-initiating cell pool of the tumor stem cell or the tumor progenitor cell by irreversibly reducing (1) size of the tumor stem cells or the tumor progenitor cells; (2) clonogenic index of the tumor stem cells or the tumor progenitor cells; (3) growth rate of the tumor stem cells or the tumor progenitor cells; or (4) a combination thereof, wherein the administering is to an unresected tumor, to a resection cavity following tumor resection, or first intratumorally and then to the resection cavity. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the BMP-4 preparation comprises full length human BMP-4 or a fragment of the full length human BMP-4. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic amount of the BMP-4 preparation is effective to increase Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor (BMPR)-mediated signaling in the tumor stem cell or the tumor progenitor cell. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the increase in BMPR mediated signaling in the tumor stem cell or the tumor progenitor cell modulates at least one tumor stem cell or tumor progenitor cell characteristic selected from the group consisting of cell survival, self-renewal, symmetric division, proliferation, and differentiation properties. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the therapeutic amount of the BMP-4 preparation is effective to decrease a quantity of the tumor stem cell or the tumor progenitor cell in the tumor. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the therapeutic amount of the BMP-4 preparation is effective to reduce growth of the tumor. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic amount of the BMP-4 preparation is associated with at least one polymeric wafer or at least one polymeric bead. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic amount of the BMP-4 preparation is effective to reduce likelihood that the tumor stem cell or the tumor progenitor cell undergoes a symmetrical division. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the therapeutic amount of the BMP-4 preparation is effective to increase Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor (BMPR)-mediated signaling in the tumor stem cell or the tumor progenitor cell. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic amount of the BMP-4 preparation is effective to induce differentiation of the tumor stem cell or the tumor progenitor cell in the tumor. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when combined with surgery, the glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor is at least partially resected to form a resection cavity into which said Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4 (BMP-4) preparation is released. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is combined with at least one of chemotherapy, radiotherapeutics or radiotherapy, and surgery. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a therapeutic amount of temozolimide.